Dubai City Guide: Things to Do in Dubai and Other UAE Travel Tips

Dubai, as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, tops the list of one of the must-see UAE travel destinations. While the law and the customs might be different to the ones you’re familiar with, Dubai itself is enchanting, and great fun, with tons of mesmerizing Dubai points of interest to choose from. If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, there are a few things you must know – the dos and don’ts while traveling in Dubai, the not-to-miss experiences and points of interest in Dubai and the best places to shop in Dubai. So here goes—your ultimate Dubai city guide!

Dubai City Guide

Things to Do in Dubai & Other UAE Travel Tips

Top Things to Do in Dubai

No Dubai city guide is complete without listing the best things to do in Dubai! Without a doubt, the top Dubai attractions are a Dubai desert safari and dhow dinner cruise.

When you’re in Dubai, you should also make time to check out these amazing landmarks: the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Dancing Fountains, the Palm Islands and the World Map Islands, Dubai Eye, Dubai Frame, Dubai Creek and others.

Desert Safari in Dubai

First on the Dubai city guide, a desert safari in Dubai is one of the best things to do in Dubai. You can opt for morning, afternoon/evening and overnight safaris, with various desert sports thrown in. You can enjoy dune bashing, dune driving, sandboarding, quad-biking, camel riding and other desert sports.

Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai

This is another not-to-miss unique activity for your Dubai city guide. You can enjoy dhow cruises on the Dubai Creek or on the Persian Gulf – both are spectacular. Dhows are traditional wooden Arabian boats that were once used for trading and smuggling. The old dhows have now been renovated with plexi-glass enclosures, and fully air-conditioned to give you greater comfort while cruising Dubai’s waters. An evening dhow cruise comes with onboard entertainment and a full continental buffet dinner. Cruising Dubai’s coastline, getting up and close to the manmade World Map and Palm Jumeirah Islands and watching the city’s magnificent landmarks all lit up is like cruising in a fairytale world.

Shopping in Dubai

Dubai was made for shopaholics! There is such a wide array of choice for shopping here that even the world’s greatest shopaholics will be stumped. For your Dubai city guide, we will talk about two kinds of shopping: luxury and bargain.

For the Big Spenders

The world’s largest mall, the Dubai Mall, awaits the shopper in you to check out its 1200 plus retail outlets. Then there’s the Emirates Mall, the Dubai Marina Mall and the dozens and dozens of shopping malls strewn all across the city to add to your Dubai city guide. Most of these malls come with added attractions like cinema multiplexes, game floors, food courts and more. The Dubai Mall, in particular, has the SEGA Republic gaming arena for kids, the Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Ice Rink and much more.

For Dubai Bargain Deals

If you want to avoid pricey malls for your Dubai city guide, head out to the traditional souks of Deira and Bur Dubai. You can buy gold, spices, perfumes or incense on the Deira side, and visit Bur Dubai for Arabian style slippers and pashmina shawls. Bargaining is allowed in these souqs, so go ahead.

How to Travel to Dubai

Did you know that over 125 airlines fly to Dubai from places around the world? Plus, Dubai is connected to all neighboring GCC countries through an excellent network of highways. You can get to Dubai via plane, car or bus, or even by boat, if you’re in one of the other Emirates.

For air travel, you shouldn’t pay top dollar if you don’t need to! For your Dubai city guide, make sure to check out the best flight deals to Dubai.

For more information on international travel for your Dubai city guide, you might want to refer to:

Getting Around in Dubai

The Dubai Metro’s Red Line runs through Dubai’s heart, along the arterial Sheikh Zayed Road, all the way from the airport to Jebel Ali in the south. Apart from the Metro, there’s the Tram service, city-wide bus service and taxis. A prepaid NOL card can be used for passage on all these transports.

Weather in Dubai

Dubai’s summers are very hot – the temp can rise up to 55°C at times. Winters from October to May are milder and more tourist-friendly, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 30+°C. You can still visit Dubai in the summer, as there is a plethora of fully air-conditioned indoor activities to be enjoyed.

Your Dubai City Guide: More Important UAE Travel Tips

⦁ Dubai is a glorious melting pot of global cultures, given that almost 90% of its population is comprised of expats.
⦁ Always use only those taxis that have meters; you can be easily ripped off by fraudulent taxi drivers who don’t mind charging twice or thrice the rate.
⦁ Almost everyone speaks English, so don’t worry about language issues.
⦁ The UAE uses 220V AC power, and the sockets 3 pin. Do bring a universal charger with you to Dubai.
⦁ Bring only cotton clothing if you’re traveling to Dubai in the summer. Long cotton tops with full sleeves will keep the sun away from your skin.
⦁ Dubai does not tolerate import of drugs; be careful to bring original prescriptions if you’re taking your medications with you.
⦁ Respect the local culture and wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders completely.
⦁ Summer is not the peak travel time when it comes to Dubai, so if you want to save money on plane tickets, resort fees and tours, travel during summer.
⦁ There are strict rules pertaining to alcohol; it’s best to be either a complete teetotaler or go easy on the booze while you’re in Dubai.
⦁ The UAE weekend is Friday and Saturday, which makes Sunday a workday. So, work your schedules according to that.
⦁ During the month of Ramadan, everyone, even non-Muslims, is expected not to eat during the day. You can eat in your hotel room, but all restaurants and cafes will be closed. Don’t be caught eating anything in public, though.
⦁ Take care not to get involved in public fights and don’t swear while in public. If caught, you could be fined, jailed or deported.
⦁ Take care not to hug or kiss in public, even if the person you’re hugging is your wife or daughter. Public Displays of Affection (PDA) are seen as non-Islamic and therefore entail fines or imprisonment.
⦁ It is illegal to take pictures of people without checking with them first.
⦁ Take care not to eat, drink or chew gum when you’re traveling by the Metro or by bus, or you could be fined up to AED200.

Dubai is an exciting, happening place that is meant for you to enjoy and celebrate with your family and friends. If you’re concerned about the different laws and rules here, just remember this: it’s a different culture and there are always cultural differences to mind when you’re traveling. Just be respectful of the basic guidelines and you’ll just fine.

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R

Sagar Kole

Sagar is a foodie by heart who also loves to explore places on his own. He wants to convert his hobbies into profession and even aspires to open his own travel website along with a Chinese restaurant.

6 Comments

The desert safari in Dubai is certainly a must see when coming to Dubai, it gives you a really cool view of what it used to be like. The malls have literally everything but if you go to the older area you can have a bargain. Ubers are fast becoming popular here and we always get a Lexus, thanks for a great list!

I loved visiting the souks. It made me feel like I was in an Aladdin’s cave filled with opulent goodies treasure. I wish that I had known I could have done a dinner trip in a dhow. I would have loved that! Maybe next time 🙂

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